Count the differences between two DNA sequences and estimate how long ago they diverged — correcting for the mutations you can no longer see.
Phylogenetic DistanceLive
turning mutations into a tree
Seq A: ...ACGTACGTTACG...
Seq B: ...ACGTGCGTCACG...
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The more two DNA sequences differ, the longer ago they shared an ancestor. But raw differences undercount, because a site can mutate more than once. The Jukes–Cantor correction inflates the raw distance to estimate the true number of substitutions per site. Educational tool.
Reading this result: About 15.0% of sites differ, and the Jukes–Cantor correction inflates that to 0.167 substitutions per site to account for hidden multiple hits.
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How it works
Raw sequence differences underestimate evolutionary distance because a single site can mutate more than once. The Jukes–Cantor model corrects this, converting the observed fraction of differing sites into an estimate of substitutions per site — the currency of molecular phylogenetics. Educational tool.
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Is this jukes cantor distance calculator tool really free?▾
Yes. Phylogenetic Distance runs entirely in your browser using your device's own compute, so local use is free forever. You only pay Compute Tokens if you scale a job to the cloud.
Do I need to install anything?▾
No. Everything runs client-side in a modern browser — no downloads, no license, no account required to start.
Can I save or share my simulation?▾
Create a free account to save projects, and use a shareable embed or minted DOI to publish a live, interactive version anywhere.
How accurate are the results?▾
The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.